154 7 EQUIPPING THE POULTRY HOUSE 
oftener than once every two or three weeks, depending, of course, 
upon the number of birds having access to it. 
To be labor saving it should be automatic, in that it is self- 
feeding; as the birds eat the mash away from the opening, other 
material should gradually come down. While this feature is 
attempted, in a great many types of hoppers the mash is found to 
clog, and it requires considerable attention to keep the mash feed- 
ing properly. Hoppers with small throats and extensive taper to 
the sides have a tendency to clog in this manner. 
The feeding surface should be provided with a hinged cover, so 
arranged as to admit of closing it when desired. It is best to leave 
the hopper open only a few 
hours of the day, in the case 
of fat hens of the heavier 
breeds. It is often well to 
close the hopper at night to 
keep out rats. 
It is important that the 
hopper should be nonwasting. 
The practice of feeding dry 
mash in self-feeding hoppers 
is usually one of the most 
efficient feeding methods, pro- 
vided the right hoppers are 
used; but if the birds while 
eating waste the mash it is a 
F 102.—A home-made dry-mash_ hopper, most inefficient practice. 
eine from both sides, fae large decks. , The hopper should be easily 
and quickly filled. 
It should be long enough so that a number of birds can feed 
from it at one time. 
The top should slope to prevent birds from roosting upon it. 
Types of Hoppers.—There are a great many types of commer- 
cial hoppers for sale by leading poultry-supply houses, represent- 
ing a great variation in efficiency and cost. Most of these com- 
mercial hoppers are made of metal and are of limited capacity, 
and there are very few types which fulfil all the requirements out- 
lined above. The average poultryman can construct a hopper of 
wood at a low cost which will meet all the requirements. Figure 
102 shows a good type of home-made hopper for the laying house. 
In constructing a hopper, the size should be determined by the 
